TOKYO: Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga on Tuesday expressed deep concern over Hong Kong, following the arrests of pro-democracy activists in the region, including Agnes Chow.

“We continue to have serious concerns over the situation in Hong Kong,” the top government spokesman said at a press conference.

The activists, also including Jimmy Lai, who founded the Apple Daily newspaper, were arrested Monday under a national security law, recently enforced by China to strengthen its control over the region.

“It’s important (for Hong Kong) to remain free and open under the ‘one country, two systems’ framework, and prosper in a democratic and stable way,” Suga said.

Japan will continue cooperating with related countries to make adequate responses over Hong Kong, he added.

The arrests are expected to draw a backlash from conservative members of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party after party divisions last month adopted a resolution seeking the cancellation of a planned state visit to Japan by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“It’s aberrant,” an LDP member said. “Japan must not take an unclear attitude.”

The arrests also drew criticism from opposition parties.

Japan should make a protest to China and request the country to stop the oppression and release those arrested, said Akira Koike, head of the Japanese Communist Party’s Secretariat.

At a news conference in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian blasted Suga’s remarks, requesting Tokyo to stop interfering in Chinese domestic affairs.

JIJI Press